Endless Kiss v1c37

“You look totally handsome now?”

“Wasn’t I handsome before?”

“Not just handsome, really handsome. When this job is done, I’ll introduce you to a nice girl, so go out wearing this. You’ll succeed, won’t you?”

I just smiled at Deputy Manager Choi Ji-sook who was confident of success. I couldn’t bring myself to reveal that the clothes I was wearing now cost six zeros, which was somehow lamentable.

*

When I returned to the hotel, I ran into Manager Ko Chang-seok in the lobby. He deliberately approached me to greet me and held out a small paper bag.

“What’s this?”

“It’s from Miss Schwaben. There’s an instruction that it must be delivered directly to Mr. Lee Unhyuk, and absolutely not returned. If you don’t like it, she says to throw it away.”

Schwaben meant Elisabeth. The paper bag with its luxurious texture and color was somewhat heavy. Wondering what it was, I looked inside and saw a carefully wrapped box. It was regrettable that I couldn’t unwrap it right here and check the contents. Just how strange must it be for her to say to throw it away if I didn’t like it.

Holding the paper bag and frowning about what to do, Manager Ko Chang-seok asked after my well-being.

“Are you feeling alright? I heard you were hospitalized.”

“Ah. I just got a bruise, I wasn’t seriously hurt. An unseemly incident occurred, and I couldn’t even apologize properly. I’m sorry. They’re rather peculiar people, so they caused an absurd accident.”

Since he wasn’t my direct superior, I could speak ill of them saying they were peculiar without any qualms. Then Manager Ko Chang-seok smiles ambiguously.

“Working in this business, you see all sorts of things. It’s not the first time a fight broke out in the lobby, so it’s not that serious.”

“Being a salaried worker isn’t easy, is it.”

“Haha, of course not.”

There was something that connected us salaried workers who clean up after others, so we could look at each other and grin. Actually, while he said it wasn’t the first fight in the hotel lobby, it was an incident that could have been turned into a news article if handled poorly.

According to what I heard from the Team Leader, there was footage taken on cell phones and it was even reported to a broadcasting station. They intervened to block it, but said it was hectic dealing with the aftermath. Fortunately, since I was the only one hurt and only property was damaged, and because Elisabeth’s side scattered quite a bit of money, I heard it was a bit easier.

The ones causing trouble are separate, and the people cleaning up are separate too. It was an unfair world in many ways. Confirming this mutual understanding, I moved my steps toward the elevator.

“You haven’t had dinner yet?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“There was an inquiry from Lavald’s manager saying you’d be later than usual.”

“…?!”

“Recently, you two have contributed to the increase in Lavald’s weekday sales.”

“Not me, it’s Mr. Rashanin.”

When I corrected that it was Rashanin’s power, not both of us, Manager Ko Chang-seok smiles. Though I don’t know the exact circumstances, I had noticed that competition for seats happened in time for dinner. The number of well-dressed young ladies was increasing day by day.

“If you haven’t had dinner yet, it might be good to visit Lavald.”

“I’ll ask Mr. Rashanin and decide.”

“He’s at the pool now.”

Manager Ko Chang-seok followed me to where I got on the elevator and pressed the button. Rashanin liked swimming and often visited the pool. So the number of pool users must have increased slightly as well.

“If you need anything at all, please just say the word anytime. I’ll show you my abilities.”

The “anything” he mentioned meant drugs, women, or men. It was a natural service for a VIP with a long-term reservation of the Presidential Suite. And it was both something that demonstrated the manager’s competence and something he could get compensation for. It was the first time since coming here that I learned such transactions existed. It was a whole new world.

“Of course. I’ll be counting on you.”

We exchanged greetings and I got on the elevator. The VIP pool was on the 20th floor. In principle, you couldn’t enter with clothes on, but as long as you took off your shoes and socks, coming and going wasn’t a big deal. I took off my shoes and socks and went inside.

Though it was Monday evening, quite a few people were coming and going at the pool. Among the people swimming, Rashanin naturally stood out the most.

A vampire’s physical abilities far surpass those of humans. His speed was fast and his form was incredibly stylish. It wasn’t just me—there were more than a few people staring at his swimming with rapt attention. Certainly, in terms of outward appearance, he was the finest man in the world.

That his face was handsome went without saying, he was tall, his limbs were long and slender, his chest was thick and broad, and his muscles were no joke. His tightly built body was filled with lean muscle rather than being burly like a bodybuilder. It was an enviably perfect physique even from another man’s perspective, and even his skin was white and clean without a single blemish. Though there was a scar from something sharp that ran from his right side to his back, even that felt wild. I could understand the greedy gazes of the women looking at him.

Of course, women weren’t the only ones coveting the snow-white body cutting through the water moving forward.

Look at that back. Just what kind of exercise do you do to get muscles that pretty. His arms are thick and his butt is firm too.

As if I’d become some kind of lecher, I was stealing glances at the handsome man when what happened last night suddenly came to mind, making me blush. I kissed that man. Even trying to act like it was nothing, I couldn’t prevent such thoughts from arising. I couldn’t quite look at Rashanin and averted my gaze, glaring at the wet pool tiles.

If it were someone I’d never see again after tomorrow, I could dismiss it as nothing special. But when it’s someone who, even after causing an incident last night, I have to see not only today but tomorrow as well, it’s not easy. The man had even boldly declared he would seduce me when he wanted. Moreover, my head became even more complicated because of the fact I realized last night.

The tingling sensation that reached my heart couldn’t be erased and continued to leave an afterglow. If the same situation as yesterday repeated, I wasn’t confident I could push the man away.

As Rashanin said, it’s fine as long as we’re not caught, so it’s not like I didn’t have thoughts of acting crazy and playing with fire. I even thought that it would be okay if my leg broke after that.

I really am crazy. Sighing like that, I turned my gaze back to Rashanin. The man who had been going back and forth several times finally seemed satisfied and stopped at the far end of the pool.

His manner of sweeping back his wet blond hair looked like he was filming a swimsuit pictorial. The ladies who had been watching Rashanin along with me clasped their hands in admiration. I was staring entranced at the water flowing down his cheeks and dripping from his chin, and I let out a bitter smile.

I felt it last night too, but it seemed I really valued appearances a lot. Both the day before yesterday and yesterday, it was like I fell for his handsome face. I kissed a man and felt no disgust. Come to think of it, Huijeong was a beauty too. A beauty of the innocent and delicate type with a pale face. Plus, though she looked fragile, her personality was strong.

Well, well. My taste is surprisingly firm.

While finding it novel that I only realized my clear preferences after turning thirty, I made eye contact with Rashanin. He makes an unexpected expression then soon smiles brightly. The handsome man effect was dazzling. Even while worrying that seeing his face felt awkward, I thought it looked really cool when he smiled. Even though I’d been prepared to break a leg to avoid doing the guide work, I felt quite cunning.

While mocking my own patheticness like that, Rashanin gestured for me to come closer. While I’d agreed to take off my socks, entering the water while fully clothed was another matter. I just carefully walked closer to where he was standing.

“You’re late.”

Rashanin looked up at me without getting out of the water. I stood at an appropriate distance.

“I came right away.”

“That’s why I said let’s go together.”

“I don’t want to get fired.”

From when I said I had to go make a report to the Department Head, Rashanin wanted to come along, but I flatly refused. No matter how idle a place with nothing to do, it was nominally a secret special agency. Even if he put a gun to my head and threatened me, I couldn’t bring a vampire there.

“How’s the swimming?”

“I’ll pass.”

“Why? It’s cool and nice. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen you swim. Can’t you swim?”

Until now, while Rashanin swam, I only watched, never once entering the water.

“I’m not good at it and don’t particularly like it.”

“Why not learn while you’re at it.”

“Learning would be nice, but I’d like to decline.”

“Why?”

I wanted to strangle him for asking back so innocently. I had absolutely no intention of revealing my bare skin wearing only a swimsuit in front of a man who declared he would seduce me.

“Unhyuk?”

“For my own safety.”

“Hm? What threatens you that much?”

The corners of his mouth asking what are slightly raised. He was truly a nasty-natured vampire.

“Asking again to enjoy my discomfort while knowing the reason is proof of a bad personality.”

“I have a bad personality to begin with. I admit that. But I don’t know why you’re refusing my suggestion. So won’t you tell me.”

“The person who says he doesn’t know looks far too happy.”

“Is that so?”